The Yukon, the smallest territory in Canada, is known for its clean water, soil, and natural forests. It is also rich in traditions and history. Those traditions specifically contributed to the emergence of Yukon's unique food culture. For instance, First Nations People, settlers, migrants, and explorers, used to gather and hunt wild food, forage food, fish, and preserve. The Canadian territory offers its visitors uniquely delicious food with unforgettable tastes.
These include wild Yukon raspberries, yummy elk sausage rolls, savory wild salmon drizzled with Yukon birch syrup, and much more. More recently, passionate local cooks started considering multicultural influences, which prompted them to include international flavors in their recipes. Furthermore, those same cooks enjoy adding special Yukon wild herbs to their meals, giving them an even more heavenly taste.
Here Are The Tastiest Foods To Try When Visiting Yukon
The highlights of Yukon's cuisine are traditional dishes such as Bannock and smoked salmon. While smoked salmon sounds familiar, Bannock, the staple of their cuisine, is a flatbread originating primarily from Scotland. Early tribes in Yukon have adopted it and incorporated it into their cooking. It is made of a combination of grain, and it can be either baked or fried. It is loved for its crispiness on the outside and fluffiness on the inside. The bread gained popularity as it can be eaten in different forms. It serves as a yummy burger bun and would be the excellent basis for an egg benedict or everyone's all-time favorite peanut butter and jam.
Talking about sweetness, another famous specialty in the Yukon is the Yukon Syrup (known as Yacon Syrup). It is a sweet agent, used in many desserts, extracted from the Yukon plant, which natively grows in the Andes mountains in South America. The syrup has a dark color and consistency similar to molasses.
Another item to satisfy the sweet tooth is the Snow Ice Cream. Its recipe was designed from snow, but indeed, freshly shaved ice can be used. This dessert is unique because the ice cream is all-natural without any additives, and ingredients and toppings are added according to preference with no actual or precise measurements. It is mainly based on milk or whatever available liquid ingredient on hand, and it is being whipped while adding the snow, its textures change, and it starts looking more like ice cream.
Those Yukon Cafés And Restaurants Are A Must-Visit In The Canadian Territory
Some necessary stops at Yukon must be made at numerous cafes and restaurants at the Whitehorse, the hub of all eateries in Yukon.
The Chocolate Claim
The Chocolate Claim was a traditional chocolate manufacturing business. Eventually, it grew into a warm and go-to café for locals to grab a coffee and hand-made chocolate with some friends and enjoy tasty pastries from their bakery. In addition to chocolates, they offer yummy sandwiches and soups. It is recommended to order their Chipotle Chicken served with falafel or roasted vegetable and pesto for $10.95.
The Kind Café
As its name entails, this Café's philosophy is to make this world a better, kinder, and warmer place through its power and mood-boosting food. It serves plant-based and organic food prepared with local organic ingredients. Their Tumeric Cauliflower bowl at $14.50 is one of the best on the menu. Another popular item is their Tofu Cream Cheese Carrot Lox Toast.
The Woodcutter's Blanket
The Woodcutter's Blanket is a resto-pub built in a 1930s cabin and listed in the Whitehorse Heritage Building. Not only does it serve cocktails and comfort food, but also some artisanal and home-brewed beer. A must-have platter from their menu would be Woodcutter's Burger of smoked house-made YBAR pork with side aioli, lettuce, cheddar, bacon, and homemade pickles only for $19.50.
Baked Café
Baked Café is undoubtedly on the list of must-visit places in Yukon. With its contemporary vibes, comedy, and music nights, the café is a destination for whoever wants to have some good times.
Burnt Toast Café
When talking about creative menus, coziness, and some good wine, Burnt Toast Café is the go-to place. It is unique because of its location in the oldest building of Whitehorse. Their specialty is the 'Burnt Toast" coffee blend. They are famous too for their French toast with fresh berries.
Wood Street Ramen
An interesting Yukon-Asian blend would be the one offered by Wood Street Ramen, where locally fresh Yukon ingredients are prepared with Asian cooking techniques. The Asian-inspired ramen bar is dedicated to supporting local farmers through their farm-to-table cooking philosophy. An exceptional dish on their menu is the crispy pork noodles with cooked pork belly ($16)
Sanchez Cantina
Sanchez Cantina, a family-led restaurant, remains an unmissable place to taste some of the best Mexican food in Yukon. Whether in the colorful dining room or on the sunny terrace, people can enjoy some of the best authentic Mexican dishes, tequilas, margaritas, and beers.